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The Newquay coastguard team was paged after 10pm to help Portreath Cliff Rescue Team who were already working with Devon and Cornwall Police and South West Ambulance Service to locate and rescue the casualty in the Porthtowan area.

Rescue operation at Portreath (Image: Newquay Coastguard)

The person had called emergency services to report they had fallen near the coast, banged their head and were unable to walk. The person was unable to give their location and shortly after phone signal was lost.

Police ordered a ping of nearby phone masts and located the phone in the Wheal Charlotte area.

Police officers, including dog handlers and the police helicopter, the three Coastguard Rescue Teams, and Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopter Rescue 924 carried out a substantial search of the area in poor weather conditions.

(Image: Newquay Coastguard)

A spokesman for St Agnes coastguard said: "In poor weather and visibility, six search teams were put out and saturated the area.

"With the tide rushing in, and unsure of whether the person would be clifftop or at sea level, Coastguard rescue helicopter 924 was tasked to search the cliffs with their thermal imaging cameras."

Shortly before midnight Rescue 924 spotted the casualty on a cliff path and directed Coastguard Search teams in, as well as lowering their Paramedic Winchman.

The casualty was then recovered to the medics at the top of the cliff for treatment, suffering hypothermia and minor injuries. They were taken to hospital in a 4x4 ambulance

Newquay coastguard say it was 'A great multi agency effort and a life saved.'

St Agnes Coastguard said: "A very intensive search with a lot of resources, led to a very positive outcome. Thanks to all teams involved."

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